Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

The Kurdish Role in Russia’s Middle East Power Play

As Moscow continues to intervene in regional conflicts, politics, and energy affairs, Washington should not underestimate its deep-rooted relationships with Kurdish groups in various countries.

Jul 29, 2020

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Video

Brief Analysis

Palestinians and the Two-State Solution: Hard Data on the Hardest Questions

Three experts on Palestinian and Israeli public opinion discuss recent poll results, sociopolitical trends, and potential avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation on smaller ‘non-narrative’ issues.

Jul 28, 2020

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David Pollock
Tamar Hermann
Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

Divisions in Iraqi Kurdistan Are Costing the United States a Reliable Partner

If Kurdish leaders do not find a way to get beyond petty squabbles and into governing, they will be unable to pull the KRI out of its current nosedive or put their relationship with Washington on more solid ground.

Jul 24, 2020

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Bilal Wahab

Articles & Testimony

Shifting Sands in the House of Saud with a King’s Declining Health

King Salman may not be on his deathbed, but his son is renowned for not wanting to waste an opportunity.

Jul 21, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

East Mediterranean Energy Rivalries Face Harsh Economic Realities

Even if acute diplomatic differences are resolved, low natural gas prices will have a cooling effect on regional energy initiatives.

Jul 17, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Political Instability Deepens in Tunisia

The prime minister’s resignation throws the country into political uncertainty at a time of mounting economic challenges, coronavirus fears, social unrest, and potential spillover from the Libya conflict.

Jul 17, 2020

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Sarah Feuer

Articles & Testimony

Observations on the Islamic State in Iran

The institutionalization of revolutionary Islamism in Iranian governance and law means there is almost no chance the current regime will pursue reform of its own volition.

Jul 17, 2020

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Strengthening the Kadhimi Government (Part 2): Countering Militia Media

The Iraqi state is losing the media war to groups that oppose its sovereignty and benefit from continued instability, so Baghdad and Washington should step up their counter-messaging.

Jul 16, 2020

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Bilal Wahab

Articles & Testimony

Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States Under Stress

As Riyadh aims to revamp the kingdom’s place in the international community, its near-term approach to Iran and Israel will have much to say about the Gulf neighborhood’s future trajectory.

Jul 15, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Iraqi Kurdistan: Priority Issues for International Mediation

Baghdad, Erbil, and their foreign partners should focus on mending harmful intra-Kurdish rifts, forging a multiyear budget deal, and reactivating elite counterterrorism coordination, among other initiatives.

Jul 10, 2020

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Sudan on Edge: An Inevitable Fall or a Better Way Ahead?

Washington needs to go fast on Sudan, not slow, frontloading relief to bolster the civilian government while warning regional leaders not to use the country as another geopolitical football.

Jul 10, 2020

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Alberto Fernandez

Brief Analysis

Erdogan to Make Hagia Sophia a Mosque Again, But Will It Help Him?

Turkey’s president seems focused on cementing his legacy and boosting his popularity with voters, but the move is more likely to damage the country’s international brand.

Jul 10, 2020

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

The Fragile Status Quo in Northeast Syria

The mixed Kurdish-Arab zone could buckle under any number of security, health, and economic threats, especially if the United States surrenders to Russian and Turkish interests by withdrawing its remaining forces.

Jul 1, 2020

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Fabrice Balanche

Brief Analysis

Testing Iraq’s Ability to Crack Down on Anti-U.S. Terrorism

After Kataib Hezbollah was caught red-handed prepping new rocket strikes, justice needs to be served, and Iraq’s government needs to be better secured.

Jun 26, 2020

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Merging Talks on Northeast Syria with a Whole-of-Country Approach

Deeper Turkish engagement with the Syrian Kurds would be helpful, but any such talks need to be linked with ongoing efforts to contain the Islamic State and advance the UN’s broader Geneva process.

Jun 25, 2020

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Jomana Qaddour
Cansu Camlibel

Articles & Testimony

The Ghost of Annexation Past

King Abdullah's 1950 annexation of “Arab Palestine” shows that a bold leader can play his advantages well, redraw the map, gain some recognition, and still leave only regrets.

Jun 25, 2020

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Martin Kramer

Multimedia

Brief Analysis

Is Regime Collapse on Syria's Horizon? Evaluating Assad's Grip on Power

A State Department official explains the latest sanctions against entities that do business with Assad, while two experts assess the regime’s current status and its susceptibility to foreign pressure.

Jun 22, 2020

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Joel Rayburn
Oula A. Alrifai
Sam Dagher

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

A Nation Divided: Palestinian Views on War and Peace with Israel

Polling shows that Palestinian public opinion is moving away from prior support for a compromise peace deal with Israel.

Jun 22, 2020

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David Pollock

Video

Brief Analysis

The New U.S.-Iraq Strategic Dialogue: Expert Views from Both Sides

One of Iraq’s most prominent public opinion analysts joins two American experts to assess the dialogue’s achievements and discuss what Baghdad and Washington can do to advance real reform.

Jun 18, 2020

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Munqith Dagher
Barbara A. Leaf
Bilal Wahab

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Qatar Without Tamim

Sudden Succession Essay Series

Qatar's break with Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbors remains unresolved, and rumors circulate of bids to replace Tamim bin Khalifa al-Thani, Qatar’s forty-year-old emir, with one of his historically marginalized rivals.

Jun 15, 2020

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Simon Henderson

◆ Sudden Succession Essay Series

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Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

The Washington Institute's Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics focuses on social, political, and economic developments in the Arab world, with an emphasis on the Arab countries of the Levant.

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Featured experts

David Schenker

David Schenker is the Taube Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics. He is the former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.

Ghaith al-Omari

Ghaith al-Omari is the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute's Irwin Levy Family Program on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Relationship.

Hanin Ghaddar

Hanin Ghaddar is the Friedmann Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute's Rubin Family Arab Politics Program, where she focuses on Shia politics throughout the Levant.

Bilal Wahab

Bilal Wahab was the Nathan and Esther K. Wagner Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.

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